2.3.2.2: Seeking Parent/Guardian Input

At least twice a year, each caregiver/teacher should seek the views of parents/guardians about the strengths and needs of the indoor and outdoor learning/play environment and their satisfaction with the services offered. Caregivers/teachers should honor parents’/guardians’ requests for more frequent reviews. Anonymous surveys can be offered as a way to receive parent/guardian input without parents/guardians feeling concerned if they have negative comments or concerns about the facility or practices within a facility.

RATIONALE

Parents/guardians and caregiver/teacher alike recognize that parents/guardians have essential rights in helping to shape the kind of child care service their children receive (1).

COMMENTS

Asking parents/guardians about their concerns and observations is essential so they can share issues and engage with staff in collaborative problem-solving. Small and large family child care homes should have group meetings of all parents/guardians once or twice a year. This standard avoids mention of procedures that are inappropriate to small family child care, as it does not require any explicit mechanism (such as a parent/guardian advisory council) for obtaining or offering parental/guardian input. Individual or group meetings with parents/guardians would suffice to meet this standard. Seeking consumer input is a cornerstone of facility planning and evaluation. Centers can offer parents/guardians the chance to respond in writing. Accreditation organizations such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) or the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) have guidance on conducting parent/guardian surveys.

TYPE OF FACILITY

Center, Early Head Start, Head Start, Large Family Child Care Home, Small Family Child Care Home

REFERENCES

1. National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies. It’s a win-win situation: When parents and providers work together. Child Care Aware. http://ccaapps.childcareaware.org/en/subscriptions/dailyparent/volume.php?id=29.